MISSION STATEMENT Kalamazoo Valley Community College creates innovative and equitable
opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive.
Sept. 1, 2023
Greetings,
I hope you enjoyed the Fall Summit 2023 as much as I did. In addition to the important and timely information that was shared, I noted how much everyone enjoyed being together. I sensed a genuine excitement for the upcoming semester from so many of you. Thank you to the planning committee and to everyone who led a breakout session. Your work is appreciated. Please be sure to complete the evaluation by clicking here.
As we start the fall semester, I ask that you purposefully continue to review the practices and procedures of this institution to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students, so that Kalamazoo Valley Community College truly becomes a place where all can learn, grow and thrive. I ask you to bring the best version of yourself to work every day. Our work is absolutely vital to the lives of other people. Our students, their families and the communities we serve are counting on us, so let's get started!
Have a great semester!
L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D.
President
Pictured from left to right: Dr. L.Marshall Washington, Joel Boone, Kathy Mirakovits,
Steve Walman, Meredith Holland, Dr. Paige Eagan, Jenny Ott
Faculty Instructional Award Winner Announced The Faculty Instructional Awards are designed to reward those instructors at Kalamazoo Valley who actively encourage students' intellectual curiosity, engage them in the enterprise of learning and have a lifelong impact.
This year's recipients, announced during the Fall Summit, were: Joel Boone, Kathy Mirakovits, Steve Walman, Meredith Holland, Jenny Ott and Elizabeth Lincoln. more
Lunch with the President President Washington invites faculty and staff to join him for a casual lunch gathering in the private dining room of the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health building in downtown Kalamazoo at noon on Sept. 20, Oct. 11, Nov. 15 or Dec. 7. Choose only one date, please. Space is limited to 15 attendees for each session and registration is required to attend. If you attended previously, please do not register again. Click on the dates below to register.
Welcome Table Volunteers Help welcome students back to campus by volunteering at one of the many welcome tables on the college's different campuses. There are a number of locations with varying days and times when support is needed.
Follow this link to check out the opportunities to help.
Log in and select your preferred volunteer opportunity, date and time(s).
Click SAVE under each section that you clicked a box in. You will receive a confirmation email for each time slot.
Save the Date! Staff and Administrator Excellence Awards: Thursday, Oct. 5, Texas Township Campus, Room 4240, Refreshments 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., awards presentation 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Award recipients will be notified well in advance.
Euchre Meetup: Whether you're a reigning euchre champ or are interested in learning the card game, please join us in a friendly game of euchre. Logistics will vary this year. Connect with Bethann Talsma for more information and to RSVP.
Next date: Thursday, Sept. 14, 5 to 7 p.m., in Texas Township Campus, Room 4370. Bring just yourself or add an after-school-themed snack to potluck. RSVP requested by Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Breathing Space: Dedicate some time in your week for self-care. The sessions will be 30 minutes each with an agenda as follows: Brief check-in (5 minutes) Special topic (10 minutes, see topics below). Guided and silent meditation: 15 minutes.
All sessions will be held via Zoom. Email Cathy Colella for the direct Zoom Link.
Kalamazoo Valley Libraries: Start Your Semester in the Library Visit us at the Texas Township Campus (TTC) or at Anna Whitten Hall (AWH) on the third floor. We have something for everyone!
Open House
Encourage your students to attend the Libraries (TTC and AWH) and Learning Center Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for information, snacks and prizes.
Reserve Textbooks
Textbooks and other course materials are placed on reserve each semester at the request of faculty and students. Instructors may submit personal copies for the reserve collection, or request a library purchase for reserve. Most reserve requests for library purchase are approved, although we suggest submitting your request before the start of the semester to provide us purchasing and processing time.
For more information on course reserves, including a list of all items currently on reserve, visit the library's Course Reserve Guide. To reserve materials for your course, contact Ashley (TTC) x4313 or Franki (ACC) x7848.
Request Library Instruction for Your Classes
Bring your students to the library for research instruction or assignment-based exploration. Or, invite a librarian to visit your classroom to introduce information literacy concepts. We are ready to collaborate with instructors to meet the unique needs of your students. Ready to schedule or need more information? Contact Jim (ACC) x7867 or Amy (TTC) x4489.
At TTC, you can request library instruction in the Library Instructional Lab through Astra. From the Events tab, click on "Request Event." Then, choose "Library Instructional Lab" from the drop-down menu. Submit the details of your request and a librarian will respond within 48 hours.
Print and Electronic Resources
Staff and faculty are welcome to browse our book collection, in person or online. We have titles to support both academic learning and personal interests. We also subscribe to several electronic book and journal databases for research needs.
Student Technology Loan
Students can borrow a laptop computer, Wi-Fi hotspot and/or a graphing calculator and use it for the entire semester. Technology is available on a first come, first served basis with a Valley ID. All laptops have webcams and microphones, and access to Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft Office and Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Study Spaces
Both the TTC and AWH libraries have quiet and scenic study spaces with computer and printer access. The TTC Library has study rooms available on a walk-in basis, and the lower-level study room has a computer workstation with a webcam, so students can attend a Zoom class or take a test in the library.
Research & Citations
Students can visit, call or email the library for assistance with their research needs. We can help students locate, evaluate and cite sources for papers and projects. For assistance during non-business hours, the Ask a Librarian 24/7 Chat is always available.
Hours and Contact Information Hours (including evenings and Saturdays)
Call x4328 email website
Grab a Bite while on the Texas Township Campus The Cougar Cafe, located on the Texas Township Campus, includes a Subway as well as a soup and salad bar, fruit cups, sandwiches, baked goods and a variety of beverages. It is open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday and closed on Friday.
The Coffee Shop, featuring Starbucks coffee, is located in the Student Commons on the Texas Township Campus. It is open 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday and closed on Friday.
Havirmill Cafe to Open Sept. 12 Students enrolled in Kalamazoo Valley's Culinary Arts and Sustainable Food Systems programs put their training to work in the 418 Restaurant and Havirmill Cafe. Both are located in the Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., in downtown Kalamazoo. The Havirmill Cafe will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning on Sept. 12. There will be grab-and-go options as well as a hot bar with freshly made entrees.
Financial Aid Can Be Used for Book Purchases
If you are new to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, you may not know that your financial aid can be used to buy books and school supplies at the Bookstore on the Texas Township Campus. Either purchase your items in person or online - your choice. Online orders may be picked up at the Texas Township Campus or the Anna Whitten Hall Library at the Arcadia Commons Campus in downtown Kalamazoo, or mailed to any address you want. Shipping is $5. Note that the Bookstore be open an extra hour later, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Thursday, Aug. 31 through Wednesday, Sept. 13.
Flu Shot Clinic Scheduled for Employees Flu season is coming! Kalamazoo Valley Community College is hosting flu shot clinics for all employees. The first clinic will be held at the Texas Township Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 5740. Reserve your spot by clicking on this link and complete the required information.
Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible. If you sign up, please keep your appointment.
Bring a copy of your insurance card for billing purposes. If you have questions, contact Becky Craft, employee benefit manager.
Free Home Volleyball Games Volleyball season is underway at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and you're invited to drop in at any time at the home games, which are always free at the college's Texas Township Campus. The Lady Cougars will have their first conference match at home on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. against Marian University's Ancilla College. Come out and wear your college apparel. Below are the rest of the home games:
6:30 p.m. | Friday | Sept. 8 vs. North Central Michigan College
6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | Sept. 19 vs. Kellogg Community College
6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 5 vs. Marian University's Ancilla College
6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | Oct. 10 vs. Lansing Community College
6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 12 vs. Kellogg Community College
6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | Oct. 17 vs. Lake Michigan College
6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 19 vs. Southwestern Michigan College
6:30 p.m. | Thursday | Oct. 26 vs. Glen Oaks Community College
Find the full schedule here. Follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @kvccvb. Read an article about the volleyball season here.
Did You Know Admission is Free at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum? And that Kalamazoo Valley Community College operates the museum and that it is governed by the college's Board of Trustees? Click here anytime for the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's latest offerings. The museum works to develop cultural, historical, scientific and technological literacy through ever-changing interactive exhibits, augmented by planetarium shows, musical performances, lectures and films, suitable for children, adults and families. The museum is located at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Planetarium shows are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, for $3.
Enjoy Virtual Travel With 'Explore Your World' Exhibit Undertake a quest across land, sea and space to discover the role of mapping and navigation in everyday life in the "Explore Your World!" free exhibit. It runs through Oct. 15. Visitors will use different methods of navigation to find their way through shipwrecks, escape a virtual building and pilot a simulated underwater exploration vehicle. They can take on the challenge of a giant game of Battleship using coordinates, or operate a sonar scanner to map themselves and their friends. "Explore Your World" uses cutting-edge technologies and experiences that are relevant, inspiring and effective in sharing STEM skills and knowledge across the globe.
![DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
ABLEISM 101
SEPT. 26, 2023 • 1 - 4 P.M.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP CAMPUS ROOM 4240
In this workshop we will introduce the basic concepts of ableism and explore how the language we use around disability can either support equality or perpetuate stigma. Participants will be challenged to identify their own unconscious bias around disability. Come learn how to support the disability rights and disability justice community in Southwest Michigan.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Trice Batson, tbaston@kvcc.edu or Cat March, cmarch@kvcc.edu.
[The image includes various disability-related icons and the Kalamazoo Valley Community College logo at the bottom]](https://mcusercontent.com/1c983c8bb40e18354285da8cd/_compresseds/1d17170b-37c7-11eb-0692-c809db7a87bb.jpg)
